Arabul finally gets bail in Bhangar assault case

Forty-three days after his arrest, Arabul Islam, former Bhangar Trinamool MLA, was granted bail on Thursday. He will be released from custody at the Alipore Central jail on Friday.

Arabul’s lawyer moved a bail petition before the Alipore District and Sessions judge and the public prosecutor did not oppose the plea. The ex-MLA was arrested on January 17, charged with attempted murder and setting fire on vehicles belonging to CPI(M) supporters that were arriving in Alipore to protest the assault on party leader and former minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah.

At Bamanghata in Bhangar, Arabul and his men allegedly beat the deputation up, and many CPI(M) workers were injured. Arabul was implicated in another case and charged with attacking Adbur Rezzak Mollah days before this incident. For this case, he received bail from the Baruipur Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court.

However, the biggest blow to Arabul came in the form of chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s signal for his arrest. Arabul’s supporters had subsequently protested against his arrest, but Mamata was not convinced. Prior to Thursday, Arabul’s bail pleas had been rejected four times by district courts.